Football legend John Barnes has described Leicester as a strong contender to be a World Cup host city in 2018.

The former England and Liverpool star, part of Sir Bobby Robson's 1986 and 1990 World Cup squads, is currently working with Liverpool's bid team.

But on a visit to Leicester this week, he said the quality of the Walker's Stadium and the city's central position meant it had the potential to play an important role in the world's biggest sporting event.

Tranmere Rovers manager Barnes said: "All over the country the infrastructure is great and the stadiums are excellent.

"I played in Leicester a few times in my career and I know that now they've got a fantastic stadium and geographically it's an ideal location." Gary Lineker, who played alongside Barnes for England, has already backed the bid to bring World Cup football to the Walkers Stadium.

The FA is expected to choose 12 cities in December to spearhead England's bid.

Public support will be one of the factors in which cities are successful and Leicester's bid team is still encouraging people to vote for the city.

If Leicester is chosen, the Walkers Stadium could host up to three matches, with fan festivals set up across the city for visiting supporters and huge television screens placed in parks.

The bid team has to prove Leicester has a good enough stadium, transport links, accommodation and that it has a track record in staging successful events.

World governing body FIFA will then pick the host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments in December 2010.